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Router Components
KHAWAR BUTT
CCI E # 12353 [R/S, SECURI TY, SP, DC, V OI CE, STORAGE & CCDE]
Overview
 Router Hardware
 Configuration Sources
 Interfaces c
 Router Bootup Sequence
 Router Modes
Router Hardware
 Read-Only Memory (ROM): Contains the Bootstrap program. The Bootstrap program is a
small program that looks for the Router OS and loads it. It also contains a mini-OS in case the
Router OS is corrupted.
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 RAM: RAM on a router has the same functionality as RAM on the PC. It is used to run the OS.

 Flash: Flash is like the Storage component of the Router. It generally contains the Operation
System of the Router. The Operation System on a Cisco Router is called Internetwork
Operation Systems (IOS). The IOS is stored on Flash. At the time of booting the router up, the
bootstrap program loads the IOS into RAM to run the it.

 NVRAM: NVRAM is another storage component of the Cisco Router. It is used to save the
Configuration file. The name of the saved Configuration File is Startup-config. All the Router
settings and configurations are stored on this file. When a router reboots, it loads the
configuration from this file. If you don’t save your configurations before reloading the routers,
your router will load as a blank router with no configurations.
Configuration Sources -
Console Port Console Port

 Every Cisco router or a switch has a console

port (also known as the management port) . Auxiliary Port

 Console port is used to connect c a computer

Console Cable with a RJ-45 Connector

directly to a router or switch and manage the

router or switch since there is no display device DB-9 to USB Connector
Required in case your PC does not have a DB9 Port

for a router or switch .

 The console port must be used to initially

configure the Cisco devices as they are not Console Cable with a RJ-45 Connector

configured with an IP Address for remote access.

Configuration Sources -
Auxiliary Port
 Cisco devices also have an Auxiliary or Aux Port.

 This was used initially to allow remote access to the Cisco device
(Router/Switch) using a Modem. c

 This is not a common way of configuration as the devices are remotely

accessible using the Internet.
Configuration Sources -
Virtual Terminal Lines
 This is not a physical port.

 This is the most common method of configuring the devices after they are
initially configured thru the Consolec port.

 The Virtual Terminal (VTY) Lines allow remote management access to the
device using IP Protocols like Telnet and SSH.
 This allows the administrator to log into the device from the comfort of his
office and configure and manage the Cisco device.
Router Interfaces
PC

 The main functionality of a router is connect networks to each other.

 A Router connects to the networks using Interfaces.

 A Router generally will have 2 type of connections, LAN & WAN. PC Switch PC
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 The LAN connection is done using a connection type called Ethernet.

 The Router will connect to the LAN Switch or AP using Ethernet

Interfaces. Ethernet ISP
Serial
Router
 The Router also connects the LAN to the WAN. The WAN connection is
Ethernet
done using interfaces called Serial. The WAN can also be connected
using Ethernet.
Access
 A Router also has a testing interface known as Loopback. This is used Point

to simulate networks connected to a router. We will be using

Loopback interfaces a lot throughout the course to simulate large
networks.
Router Bootup Sequence
 Step 1 : Bootstrap program is loaded into memory from ROM.

 Step 2: Bootstrap program starts by running the POST (Power On Self Test) to check the
hardware.
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 Step 3: Bootstrap locates the Cisco IOS in Flash.

 Step 4: Bootstrap loads the IOS into RAM and runs it.

 Step 5: Once the IOS is running, it takes over the control of the Router.

 Step 6: The IOS looks for the Startup-Configuration file in NVRAM.

 Step 7: If it is found, the configurations are loaded into memory the router is ready for use. In
case, it is not found (New Router), it prompts the administrator with the Initial Configuration
Wizard.
Main Router Modes
 User Exec Mode: This is a view only mode. This mode is for base level engineers to verify basic
settings and configurations. The Prompt on this mode will be the router name followed by the
“>” sign. [ R1> ]

 Privilege Exec Mode: This is predominantly a view only mode, although it does allow for basic
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configurations like setting the clock. It does give the administrator access to all verification
commands. The Prompt on this mode will be the router name followed by the “#” sign. [ R1# ]

 Global Configuration Mode: This is configuration mode of the Router. All the configuration
are done from this mode or sub-modes of the Global Configuration Mode. The Prompt on this
mode has the router name following by the word “config” is parenthesis, followed by the # sign.
[R1(config)#]. The sub-modes will have the sub-mode name after the config.

R1(config-router)#
R1(router-if)#
Review Exercise
1. The ______________ is stored in the Flash.
2. The ______________ file is stored on NVRAM.
3. Initial Configuration of the Cisco Router
c / Switch is done thru the _________
Port.
4. Remote configuration of the Cisco Router / Switch is done thru the _______
Ports.
5. ____________ locates the IOS in flash and loads it into RAM.
6. Most of the configuration commands are done in the ____________________
Mode.
Whiteboard